Why GOP reaction is muted as judge affirms gay marriage rights

[SecularMotion]

ATLANTA — Just a few years ago, a court ruling that overturned a state's gay-marriage ban would have stirred stronger objections than those that arose from the political right this week after a federal judge invalidated California's voter-approved Proposition 8.

But beating that drum now may risk being seen as so 2004. Instead, Republican leaders today are focused intently on the economy - and on blaming Democratic policies for its still-sluggish state - as they try to rally independents, libertarians, and "tea party" adherents around conservative economic ideals in advance of midterm elections.

"Every indicator that I have ... generally speaking, is that economic growth and job creation are the tandem issues that will be the principal drivers of voter decision at polls,” Republican National Committee political director Gentry Collins told reporters Thursday. "What I’m encouraging candidates to do is go out and run on an economic platform, a jobs platform."

http://www.minnpost.com/worldcsm/2010/08/09/20359/why_gop_reaction_is_muted_as_judge_affirms_gay_marriage_rights

[FBaggins]

1. Clever.

The rabid dogs who will show up in anger at these types of decisions don't need to be coaxed. They will come unless the republican candidate takes a pro-gay position. But keeping your mouth shut avoids the groundswell of opposition from equality-minded voters.

It makes sense. The right is already "energized" while the left is depressed. They don't want to do anything that might energize the left.

In short - they're trying to "sit on their lead" - except that the "lead" doesn't exist yet.

[SecularMotion]

2. Even though they have no credibility on the economy,

it's the only issue they can discuss without exposing their batshit crazy views.

[FBaggins]

3. Yes... even though they SHOULD have no credibility on the economy.

The average voter has a very short memory for such things. The bad economy helped kick a number of republicans to the curb two years ago, but now it's been two years and they control nothing in washington.

Let's face it... when you run against poor economic performance, the implicit promise is "elect us and we'll fix it" but most people have trouble agreeing that it's "fixed" in any substantial way.